Whew! This week has completely flown by. I feel like LIFE is completely flying by. Do you remember those days, as a child, on a summer break from school? Remember being frustrated, wanting summer to hurry and end so you can be back in school with your friends all day and have something to do? I remember those days all too well. I remember living with my grandma at one time. She told me, "Oh just wait til you get old and slow down a bit. Wait til you get a job too! When you spend all your day, rushing around for work and taking care of a family, you are never bored and time flies!" I just thought she was being crazy. She was so right!
This week, I have no sketch...... Aaaaahhh!!! Already slacking at my "weekly task"! I am so terrible with sticking to schedules and routines. I am fortunate that I have made time each week to take belly pictures. Believe me, that's a real improvement to my otherwise completely free spirit.
It never really occurred to me how .... uhm... what's a nice way to put it? I never realized that I had become frumpy. My husband never said anything. My Little Darling is obsessed with nothing other than my growing belly, and for that, she finds me to be the most beautiful being on the planet.
It wasn't until yesterday, Wednesday, that I had to go to volunteer as a Parent Reader for the day at my Little Darling's private school. I was irritable because I had very narrow guidelines on what books I could read, and I actually had to go out and buy a book specifically for this volunteer session. I was exhausted because I hadn't slept much in the past few days. So yea, "Frumpy Mummy" was also "Grumpy Mummy" as well. After dropping off our Little Darling, The Hubs delicately tells me that I need to do something about my appearance before volunteering because I look like a bum.
Now, I am never one to get upset when someone is telling me the TRUTH, and he definitely was! I shower daily, but I never moisturize. I am clearly African American and my skin gets hella dry if I don't moisturize. But I am too lazy. For those of you who swear lotions and coco butters are the way to steer clear of stretch marks, I will tell you now that I am making way for Stretch Mark City. I hang out in whatever pajama situation I pull out of the closet, not caring to match. I mean, I won't even try to get dressed. I also have become accustomed to not wearing stuff.... Like, no bra, no make up, no deodorant. The night before, The Hubs told me I cut him with the heels of my crusty feet. HE was joking around, but sure enough, my feet looked HORRIBLE! I mean, I was still wearing polish on my toes from a pedicure that I had gotten this summer. Yep. That bad.
I didn't mean for it to happen. I am so overwhelmed right now with these plans of a handmade holiday season. I am always tired during this pregnancy. I feel like I have to pick between getting rest and getting things done. I usually opt for getting things done, but those "things" have nothing to do with my appearance, happiness, or wellbeing. I figured, as long as I manage 5 hours of sleep, stay away from crack, meth, and LSD, and as long as I eat and use the bathroom, I am rocking it out. Right? Well, no. Not exactly. I am not the type of girl who's self esteem is tied to my appearance, but I definitely find value in taking care of myself. I notice that when I don't bother with putting myself together, my overall mood takes a turn for the worse.
I am learning now that I need to put myself, ME, first sometimes. I had to pause for a moment and look around. Truth be told, nothing is as 100% as I like to pretend, so why I don't make time to take better care of myself is a total mystery. As a preggo, I am realizing the importance of making time to do these little things that make me feel beautiful and wonderful on the inside and on the outside.
It's not selfish to take 5-10 minutes to put on some make up, which I only wear if I am going out to a social/professional event, or if I am planning to be photographed. It's not selfish to do a home manicure or pedicure, if you can manage. And if you can no longer touch your toes, or your feet have gone past the point of redemption, it's perfectly fine to get a mani-pedi somewhere and a foot massage! It's also OK to buy nice maternity clothes. Yes, you will only need them for a limited time, but let's face it, most of us aren't going to bounce right back into our pre-pregnancy bodies within 90 days, so, if we are being honest with ourselves, we'll wear these maternity clothes for 6months past our due dates. They're comfortable and why not get a little extra use?
I just want to be clear about something important:: If you prefer to be "comfortable" in your yoga pants, t-shirts, and fluffy socks, there is NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT! If you are a tomboy or a "Casual Cutie", as I like to call my yoga pants wearing sisters (LOL), then feel completely free to do that too. Don't be discouraged and stop putting on your cute yoga pants because most maternity clothes are too feminine or frilly. Don't sit around in men's pajamas. It's not selfish to go out and buy the maternity version of your Casual Cutie uniform.
I think the point that I am trying to make is that we need to do what works for us. We need to do what works for our families. Taking care of yourself, feeling beautiful and healthy (emotionally and physically) is the Best way to get on the path to taking great care of your family. Your happiness will transcend into your home. If you usually put yourself together, then don't fall apart because you are pregnant or because you went from working to being a stay at home mom. Get Pretty! Do it for yourself. There's nothing wrong, bad, or selfish about staying true to that part of yourself.
For me, I will be paying better attention to myself. I get so wrapped up in art projects and taking care of my family that I forget about ME. I forget to do those little tiny things that make me feel feminine and beautiful. As I mentioned before, I am horrible with sticking to plans and routines, so we will see if I fall right back into my slump or if I will be able to keep up my new found motivation to make more time for myself. First thing on the list: Chisel off this three month old nail polish off my poor toes!
Happy Thursday.... Make way for FRIDAAAYYY!!!
This week, I have no sketch...... Aaaaahhh!!! Already slacking at my "weekly task"! I am so terrible with sticking to schedules and routines. I am fortunate that I have made time each week to take belly pictures. Believe me, that's a real improvement to my otherwise completely free spirit.
This week, I have been filled with thoughts about "Being Pretty". As I admitted before, I literally get up and get dressed and make myself pretty for each of these mini photo shoots. Under normal circumstances, you can find me sitting around in yoga pants, a baggy t-shirt, with my hair in a messy ponytail. No make up. No jewelry. No smile either.
It wasn't until yesterday, Wednesday, that I had to go to volunteer as a Parent Reader for the day at my Little Darling's private school. I was irritable because I had very narrow guidelines on what books I could read, and I actually had to go out and buy a book specifically for this volunteer session. I was exhausted because I hadn't slept much in the past few days. So yea, "Frumpy Mummy" was also "Grumpy Mummy" as well. After dropping off our Little Darling, The Hubs delicately tells me that I need to do something about my appearance before volunteering because I look like a bum.
Now, I am never one to get upset when someone is telling me the TRUTH, and he definitely was! I shower daily, but I never moisturize. I am clearly African American and my skin gets hella dry if I don't moisturize. But I am too lazy. For those of you who swear lotions and coco butters are the way to steer clear of stretch marks, I will tell you now that I am making way for Stretch Mark City. I hang out in whatever pajama situation I pull out of the closet, not caring to match. I mean, I won't even try to get dressed. I also have become accustomed to not wearing stuff.... Like, no bra, no make up, no deodorant. The night before, The Hubs told me I cut him with the heels of my crusty feet. HE was joking around, but sure enough, my feet looked HORRIBLE! I mean, I was still wearing polish on my toes from a pedicure that I had gotten this summer. Yep. That bad.
I didn't mean for it to happen. I am so overwhelmed right now with these plans of a handmade holiday season. I am always tired during this pregnancy. I feel like I have to pick between getting rest and getting things done. I usually opt for getting things done, but those "things" have nothing to do with my appearance, happiness, or wellbeing. I figured, as long as I manage 5 hours of sleep, stay away from crack, meth, and LSD, and as long as I eat and use the bathroom, I am rocking it out. Right? Well, no. Not exactly. I am not the type of girl who's self esteem is tied to my appearance, but I definitely find value in taking care of myself. I notice that when I don't bother with putting myself together, my overall mood takes a turn for the worse.
It's not selfish to take 5-10 minutes to put on some make up, which I only wear if I am going out to a social/professional event, or if I am planning to be photographed. It's not selfish to do a home manicure or pedicure, if you can manage. And if you can no longer touch your toes, or your feet have gone past the point of redemption, it's perfectly fine to get a mani-pedi somewhere and a foot massage! It's also OK to buy nice maternity clothes. Yes, you will only need them for a limited time, but let's face it, most of us aren't going to bounce right back into our pre-pregnancy bodies within 90 days, so, if we are being honest with ourselves, we'll wear these maternity clothes for 6months past our due dates. They're comfortable and why not get a little extra use?
I just want to be clear about something important:: If you prefer to be "comfortable" in your yoga pants, t-shirts, and fluffy socks, there is NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT! If you are a tomboy or a "Casual Cutie", as I like to call my yoga pants wearing sisters (LOL), then feel completely free to do that too. Don't be discouraged and stop putting on your cute yoga pants because most maternity clothes are too feminine or frilly. Don't sit around in men's pajamas. It's not selfish to go out and buy the maternity version of your Casual Cutie uniform.
I think the point that I am trying to make is that we need to do what works for us. We need to do what works for our families. Taking care of yourself, feeling beautiful and healthy (emotionally and physically) is the Best way to get on the path to taking great care of your family. Your happiness will transcend into your home. If you usually put yourself together, then don't fall apart because you are pregnant or because you went from working to being a stay at home mom. Get Pretty! Do it for yourself. There's nothing wrong, bad, or selfish about staying true to that part of yourself.
For me, I will be paying better attention to myself. I get so wrapped up in art projects and taking care of my family that I forget about ME. I forget to do those little tiny things that make me feel feminine and beautiful. As I mentioned before, I am horrible with sticking to plans and routines, so we will see if I fall right back into my slump or if I will be able to keep up my new found motivation to make more time for myself. First thing on the list: Chisel off this three month old nail polish off my poor toes!
loved this post. you look amazing and beautiful as always! i know when i feel like complete poo, putting on makeup always makes me feel so much better.
ReplyDeleteBeing pregnant is good for you, it makes you shine, so beautiful these photos.
ReplyDeleteI want to wish you and your family a blessed & healthy New Year!
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